DNREC offers rain barrels at discount price to Delawareans

Tuesday

Mar 19, 2013 at 9:45 AMMar 19, 2013 at 9:49 AM

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control's Division of Watershed Stewardship is again offering rain barrels at a discounted price to Delaware residents in April at pickup locations in each county to encourage water conservation throughout the state.

Staff Reports

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control's Division of Watershed Stewardship is again offering rain barrels at a discounted price to Delaware residents in April at pickup locations in each county to encourage water conservation throughout the state.

Water collected into rain barrels can be used to wash cars and to water lawns, gardens and indoor plants, state officials said.

"Without a rain barrel, this water would run off your roof and become stormwater, picking up pollutants on its way to a storm drain, stream, lake, bay or ocean," said Environmental Scientist Sharon Webb of the division's Nonpoint Source Program. "By using a rain barrel, you can lower your water bill, conserve well water in the dry season and reduce polluted stormwater runoff."

The terra cotta-colored barrels are made from recycled food grade barrels that originally entered the United States filled with olives and pickles. Thoroughly scrubbed, the barrels may have some small scrapes and scratches from their travels. The barrels are fitted with a screw-on perforated top with an inside mesh screen to help keep out debris, bugs, pets and children. Included are a spigot and an overflow hose fitting to allow water to be diverted into a second barrel.

Regular retail price for these heavy-duty plastic barrels is $120 or more. However, by purchasing the rain barrels in quantity, DNREC's Nonpoint Source Program can offer them for $59 each.

In addition to the barrels, Flex Fit Diverters, which connect the downspout to the barrel, will be available at a discounted price of $19.85. To view diverters please visit http://www.rainbarrelsandmore.com/ .

Rain barrels will be available for pickup at the dates, times and locations listed below:

New Castle County residentsTuesday, April 16 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or until all barrels are sold, at the New Castle County District office Maintenance Yard, 2430 Old County Road, Newark. For directions, please visit http://newcastleconservationdistrict.org/ and click on directions at bottom of page.

Kent County residentsWednesday, April 17 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or until all barrels are sold, at the DNREC State Fair Building, located off Route 13 in Harrington on the north end of the Delaware State Fairgrounds just past the Centre Ice Rink. For directions, please visit http://local.yahoo.com/info-12358148-delaware-state-fair-incorporated-harrington?viewtype=map.

Sussex County residentsThursday, April 18 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or until all barrels are sold, at the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, Lewes Facility, next to the Lewes boat ramp, located at 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes. For directions, please click here.

Barrels will fit in the backseat of most cars but not in most normal trunk space, so you may want to bring a tarp or blanket to protect the seat. A limited number of barrels are available and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.